Azay-le-Rideau

Azay-le-Rideau
Château d'Azay-le-Rideau
Azay-le-Rideau
Administration
Country	France
Region	Centre
Department	Indre-et-Loire
Arrondissement	Chinon
Canton	Azay-le-Rideau
Mayor	Michel Verdier (2008–2014)
Statistics
Elevation	36–102 m (118–335 ft) (avg. 45 m/148 ft)
Land area1	27.34 km2 (10.56 sq mi)
Population2	3,337  (2006)
- Density	122 /km2 (320 /sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code	37014/ 37190
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.
2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Coordinates: 47°15′44″N 0°28′01″E / 47.2622222222°N 0.466944444444°E / 47.2622222222; 0.466944444444

Azay-le-Rideau (pronounced: [azɛ lə ʁido]) is a commune of the Indre-et-Loire department in central France.

Late afternoon on the shore of the Indre river

Château

Main article: Château of Azay-le-Rideau

The château of Azay-le-Rideau was built from 1515 to 1527, one of the earliest French Renaissance châteaux. Built on an island in the Indre River, its foundations rise straight out of the water.

Church

Carolingian portion of the façade of St. Symphorien

There is a church dedicated to Saint Symphorien near the château that is interesting for the number of architectural periods incorporated in its design. While the newest portion dates from 1603, the current façade incorporates an older ninth century façade in the Carolingian style. The original carved figures are still visible, though an added window destroyed part of the second row. The rest of the church is of a Romanesque style.^[1]

Wine

Azay-le-Rideau is the center of the Touraine Azay-le-Rideau AOC for white and rose wine.

Notes

1. ^ loire.valley.free.fr Azay le Rideau

External links

• Centre des Monuments Nationaux
• Office de Tourisme
• Pays d'Azay Le Rideau
• Vins d'Azay-le-Rideau
• Photos of the chateau